It would be wrong to call the Territory's 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine new: in fact, it dates back to 2006. But the TDCi powerplant has given the Australian Ford a new lease of life, adding a surfeit of torque, impressive refinement and enhanced towing ability.

Ford's outgoing Fiesta was good, but its image was too cardigan-and-slippers to appeal to most. The new Fiesta on sale April 15 certainly blows that image out of the water, with its almost muscular, edgy lines.